Editor's note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.
Ever since “Empire” star Jussie Smollett claimed he was a victim of a brutal hate crime back in January 2019, many have gathered in support of him and his story. However, along with supporters came many skeptics who have cast doubts of whether or not Smollett was actually attacked.
After weeks of speculation and an ongoing investigation, doubts were finally proven to be true on Feb. 20 when Smollett was charged for filing a false police report. He turned himself into Chicago Police the following day.
Actor, Jussie Smollett, was arrested and charged with filing a false police report, nearly a month after he claimed he was a victim of a racist and homophobic hate crime.
Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said Smollett first sent a threatening letter to himself filled with homophobic and racial slurs in order to gain attention. Despite this claim from Johnson, the FBI concluded the letter was not of Smollett’s doing.
Nevertheless, Johnson stated after the falsified letter failed to get the actor the attention he desired, Smollett decided to pay two brothers, Ola and Abel Osundairo, $3,500 to attack him. The brothers were held for 48 hours on suspicion, leading to police requesting another interview with Smollett after learning new information from the brothers. This was further researched by investigators through Smollett's private messages, which he initially refused to hand over but eventually Smollett's phone records were rejected by police.
Officials said the reason behind the staged attack was because the actor was “dissatisfied with his salary”. They also said Smollett wanted to use the publicity from the hate crime to “promote his career”.
Smollett is facing up to three years of jail time and fines if he is convicted of the felony charge.
Though the details surrounding the case are still extremely fuzzy with new information being brought to the surface and then debunked every day, more people are beginning to side with Smollett’s doubters.
President Donald Trump, whose supporters were originally rumored to be the primary suspects of the hate crime, was quick to post to Twitter about the repercussions of Smollett’s apparent lies that placed his supporters in a negative light.
“What about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments?” the President tweeted at the star.
President Donald Trump took to Twitter to defend his supporters in light of the recent revelations regarding Jussie Smollett's hate crime being staged.
.@JussieSmollett - what about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments!? #MAGA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 21, 2019
In the same way that those who doubted Smollett contribute to the invalidation of victims, Smollett also contributes by giving those doubters more reason to suspend their disbelief when someone finally comes forward about being assaulted, attacked or targeted simply because of their race or sexual orientation.
If Smollett is found guilty and convicted at the end of the investigation, not only could he ruin the path he paved for those in his respective minority communities, but he could also contribute to the further endangerment of them as well.
People can use this as a recent and relevant case to support their initial feelings to doubt hate crime victims and utilize Smollett’s lies to invalidate the true victims of assault.
Ellen Page, a famed actress who is also a part of the LGBTQ+ community, was one of the many advocates of Smollett’s testimony from the beginning. Page stood in support of Smollett and spoke out against the skeptics as well.
However, now that there is more controversy surrounding Smollett’s story, Page wanted to make it clear that she has been following the case and also fears Smollett’s actions will only lessen the voice of victims of hate crimes.
“If this situation was staged, it could make victims even more reluctant to report these crimes. Very real crimes,” Page wrote in a guest column for the Hollywood Reporter.
Instead of using his platform to uplift the black and LGBTQ+ communities, Smollett did the worst thing he could’ve possibly done: take away their voice and those that were willing to listen them.
